Layer 2 agent

This article will provide information on how the layer 2 agents are used and in what scenarios we recommend using them.

The layer 2 agents were added in our Release 6.0.
This is a feature that allows you to gain layer 2 access to an entire network, or a single device.

Layer 2 access allows you to broadcast search for devices on remote networks. If you have a PLC that has lost its IP address or is unknown, then you will have the ability to connect to this agent and, if your application allows it; search for devices on the remote network.

Please note, that this is not a “fits all” solution. This is only an agent that is to be used if you have no other options, as much as it gives freedom to search the entire remote network, it also allows devices on the remote network to communicate with your device.

If you would like to know more about layer 2, we have an excellent whitepaper that you can download in the download section. This whitepaper explains what layer 2 is, and how to use it with applications such as TIA and SoMachine.

How to use layer 2 agent

• Connect to your layer 2 agents in LinkManager.
• Go to Start and type “ncpa.cpl” then hit enter.
• Right-click the LinkManager L2 Adapter and click “Properties”
• Click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click “Properties”
• Type a free IP address on the remote network in IP address. (This will be your address on the remote network)
• Type in the Subnet mask for the remote network. (Most of the time this will be 255.255.255.0)
• Click “OK” then “Close”
• Now you are ready to connect to your devices.

A typical example:

Choose Generic and layer 2 agents.

Connect only to the layer 2 Agent with LinkManager

As an alternative to changing the IP of the LinkManager Layer 2 Adapter, it is possible to use DEV 1 DHCP instead:

First, make sure the SiteManager is set up for DHCP on DEV1
Please follow this article: How to setup DHCP on DEV1

Now it is possible to connect to a Layer 2 agent and an IP Address should be given to the L2 adapter by the DHCP

The lease of an IP Address can be double-checked in the SiteManager GUI through System>DEV1>DHCP>>Leases>>
It should also be shown through an 'ipconfig' through command prompt: